Sunday, January 03, 2010

Win a copy of Color by Kristin!

Edited on January 6th, 2010: The giveaway contest is closed! Thank you to all who entered and commented on Color by Kristin!

Hi Knitters,

I am excited to finally get the chance to review Kristin Nicholas' new book, Color by Kristin. I know it has already been reviewed in many knitting magazines, on Knitty, and on a variety of blogs. All have been favorable reviews. I don't mind adding to the reviews after the fact because I love it, too. Kristin Nicholas has been in the fiber industry for many years. Along with her vast experiences, which include being the creative director for Classic Elite for 16 years and having her own custom-made yarn line, Julia, which is distributed by Westminster Fibers, Kristin has a wealth of knowledge that only a few select people will ever have. On top of these claims to fame she is also the knitting expert on Knit & Crochet Now, the PBS show that is top-notch. She is wonderful on this show as you can see her fun, no-nonsense take on knitting. It is delightful and sometimes funny but always refreshing. She doesn't take things too seriously. I like that. She tells it like it is.

I first saw a preview of Color by Kristin at TNNA last June where Kristin was also debuting her new sock yarn, Best Foot Forward and some new colors in her yarn line, Julia. Both of these are beautiful yarn lines. I was immediately smitten with her book. I share a love of color and of embroidery with Kristin which makes her work incredibly appealing to me and apparently to others as well.I want to show you some of my favorite spots in the book. First off, you feel like you are stepping into a little piece of Kristin's life on her New England farm. The photography was all taken on her farm and land. The photos include her home, her daughter and her friends and her animals. You get a sense of how color plays a major role in Kristin's life on a daily basis due to her environment. You can get a feel of her farm life on Getting Stitched on the Farm, which is Kristin's blog and a favorite of mine. If you don't subscribe, you should.

I love the back story on any creative endeavor and Kristin starts the book with a glimpse into her story. The tiny picture on the left is Kristin in the 1970's wearing an outfit she sewed herself. The lower tiny photo is Kristin and her husband, The Farmer. He's the one who stole the New Jersey girl's heart and turned her into a farm-loving fiberista. Aren't we all lucky that happened? The twists and turns in Kristin's life are inspiring. Her journey has not always been an easy one and she has an honesty about the ups-and-downs in her life. She is always positive and uplifting. Kristin is a hard-working woman and her successes and her large, dedicated group of followers are proof of her talent and constant appeal.

This sweater is one of my favorites. It is called the Child's Zip-Up Cardigan. If you have ever feared steeking or putting a zipper in a knitted garment, Kristin's directions will put you at ease. In fact, the entire book is like taking a class with Kristin right at your side, guiding your every step. All of the projects are knit in Kristin's own yarn line, Julia. The colors are rich and saturated. I highly recommend Julia yarn for any project. It is a worsted weight yarn that is a blend of wool, mohair and alpaca. It is nothing short of gorgeous and soft. In fact, I used Julia in Itty-Bitty Toys for the Princess and the Pea Set. It is the best.The book focuses on fair isle knitting, which is color stranded knitting. It is fun and not as difficult as you may think. I love this technique and Kristin makes it simple for any level of knitter. Don't be intimidated by all of the beautiful colorwork. I am honestly telling you that you can do it! Kristin makes it easy. She has technique guides with clear illustrations, design techniques, embroidery techniques, edging techniques and best of all there is an extended Colorwork Chart Glossary! The glossary includes colorwork charts with repeats from 2 stitches all the way up to 30 stitches. Basically, Kristin is giving you the tools to create her designs but also she is giving you the tools and techniques to create your OWN beautiful colorwork designs. Color by Kristin is a book that will last through time as a great resource for colorwork. It is a book that belongs on every knitter's bookshelf.Included in the book are patterns for mittens, pillows, sweaters for kids and adults, scarves, jackets, socks, gloves, blankets... They are all gorgeous and bursting with livelihood and color and joy. Kristin's experience as a designer makes her patterns clear as clear can be. It's like she can anticipate just about any question or concern that might pop up. This sets her apart from a newer designer who may assume that people will already know things. Kristin just knows how to make techniques attainable and simple! Her philosophy is anyone can do it!I am always drawn to kids patterns and mittens and pillows in general. As far as Kristin goes, I love everything she does. The photo above is my favorite shot in the entire book. That is Kristin's daughter on the left, Julia (the namesake of the yarn line) and her friend. They are wearing two different versions of the Best Friends Pullovers. I want to make one of these for The Collector in the worst way. I have a bunch of Julia in a basket in my studio just waiting to be knit up into something fun and this may be it. I just need some time, right? Cute little girls they are!I told Kristin that I think her next book should be a mitten/glove book! She just laughed when I told her this but it's true. I think she wasn't in the mood quite yet to take on another book project or even hear about one. I was just planting the seed selfishly hoping it would come true someday. She designs really cool mittens and gloves. They are like little pieces of art. On the page above you can see how Kristin uses embroidery to liven up her knitted fabric.The embroidery absolutely changes and enhances her designs. I LOVE doing embroidery on knitted fabric and this is another one of Kristin's signature design elements. Embroidery on knitted fabric is not difficult to do and the results are always fantastic. It isn't like you have to have any previous embroidery skills to achieve these looks. Kristin uses the most basic embroidery stitches to get major effect. Plus she takes you step by step on how to do it. No worries.

If you are going to order a copy of Color by Kristin, order directly from Kristin. She will even sign the book for you or for someone else if it is a gift. What a treat to own an autographed copy of Color by Kristin. In the shop Kristin also sells 5 of her other books (I have them all and you should, too!), postcards featuring her beautiful photography (I have a couple sets of these and will never send them because I like them too much!), her painted canvas bags (yes, she is an artist, too, and I have a couple of these bags!) and her stitchery kits (I have two of these and one is completed the other is not, it is a gorgeous hand-stitched pillow on my couch!). Every product is divine.

Recently, Kristin has started her own online pattern shop. Now you can purchase individual downloadable patterns directly from Kristin. She has five patterns available as of now and they are wonderful. There are hats and mittens, a pillow, a sweater and hat set and felted bag. Be sure to check those out here!

If you haven't gathered by now let me say it out once and for all, I love Kristin Nicholas' work. I am a major supporter of everything she does. She is just as wonderful in person as she appears to be in any other form. I feel lucky to know her and to be able to say that she truly is a good, talented and smart cookie. She is humble and easy to relate to. I admire her so much. If you haven't listened to Kristin's interviews on Craftsanity or It's a Purl, Man, you must! Kristin is a storyteller and her stories are a good listen. I think she was interviewed on Ready, Set, Knit! with Kathy Elkins pretty recently. Look that one up, too.

I am extra-excited to offer you a chance to win a copy of Color by Kristin. Leave a comment on this post to enter. Say hello and leave your name, a link, something to identify yourself, a ravelry link.... tell me why you love Kristin:) Whatever you'd like. In a few short days I will randomly select two winners. Each winner will receive a copy of Color by Kristin! The winners will need to email me to give me their mailing addresses so I can pass those on to Kristin's publisher to send out the books.

Good luck and let the commenting begin!

best, susie

p.s. Thanks for the love and support of my new hat pattern, Ruche! It's been selling like hot cakes!

Susan,I have been a big fan of Kristen's work since I love color and have been a painter first, knitter second. Her use of color is amazing and she is a natural at it! She takes risks and creates refreshing but wearable designs! I love the way the book is presented like her own personal journal!Thank you and I wish you continued success in 2010! Love your work too!

I haven't tried any of her patterns yet, but I read her blog and love Julia's outfits all the color, also the farmer and all of his sheep. There life on the farm seem almost like a book too me and then I realize oops this is her life. Hopefully this year I will try one of her patterns.

Thank you Susan for an awesome opportunity. What a fun way to start off knitting in the New Year ~ a book by Kristen Nicholas! To me Kristen is inspiring, adventurous and not afraid to combine colors for a unique look and design. Her colorwork is beyond gorgeous.

What a way to start the New Year! A great book give-away & a chance to learn something new...colorwork intimidates me. I follow Kristin's blog. I love the way she teaches us about farm life. The things I've learned just by reading her blog. Almost a sheep-to-skein tutorial!

Fair Isle knitting is the next technique I hope to master. I have done very, very little (made a potholder or two), but decided over the holidays that it was time to give it a try.

Identify myself . . . Pregnant mama who is more than ready to give birth to her second daughter. Knitting fanatic who is several projects behind and been a follower of the blog (and Spud and Chloe) for quite some time.

Hi Susan,Yes, I love Kristen also. I have several of her books. When I have had enough knitting (rare, but it happens)I read knitting technique books. I have very much enjoyed Kristen Knits and Colorful Stitchery. Looking forward to this also. Maybe I'll get lucky and win one!!!Patty

I love color...just scared to knit with it. Colorwork is on my "2010 to-do" list. Okay it was on my 2009 and 2008 lists,too. Hopefully, Kristen's book can help me over the hump in 2010! Happy New Year!

Your review has made me look at this book differently. I have picked it up before and glanced through it, but now I would love a chance to really look at it. The fair isle directions and embroidery has me very interested! I can't wait to try both!

I love anything to do with color. It's like painting with yarn. From the examples you've shown of some of the pages, I love the way Kristen works and find it inspirational. fitterknitter on Ravelywww.fitterknitter.comfitterknitter.livejournal.com

I'm a devoted fan of Kristin! My mom taught me to knit as a child but when I re-learned as an adult it was Kristin's book, Knitting for Baby, that walked me through all the steps for my first baby blanket. Thanks for the generous giveaway!

Hi Susan, Thank you for the excellent review. I love to follow your blog and Kristin's. The way she puts color and design together is fabulous--so inspiring. I just started color work this last fall and would love to do more, so her book would be such a gift. Thanks

I follow Kristin's blog faithfully. I enjoy hearing about her farm life and how it enhances her creativity. My own knitting is rather plain. I'd love to be more creative. Her book would be a major inspiration! Thanks for the opportunity to have it.

I love Kristin's work as well. My daily blog reads include yours, hers, and Betz White's... all my favorites for different reasons. Would love to win a free copy of her book. I've wanted to try the embroidery techniques that she uses but haven't yet. Thanks for the chance to win!

I think Kristin is so talented, but mostly from reading her blog, I like her because she seems like someone "normal" - you know, the type of person who, if you met her, would sit down and have a cup of tea, laugh, and knit!

I've been away from the computer for a week - up at the lake celebrating Christmas with my wonderful kids! Taught my two daughter-in-laws to knit - a special privilege. Hope I'm not too late to enter the contest, as I love Kristin's wok and her name...

I have been dying for this book. Kristin's blog is so honest and open and the little glimpses into her home have made me want to make chair cushions using ideas from her book. Thanks, Susan, again for the opportunities to win a giveaway.

I love Kristin's blog and have followed it for quite some time! I can sense that things have not always been easy for her but she is an amazing woman and has incredible spirit, a get it done attitude, looks for ways to enrich her life and her family's such as her knitting weekends. How I would love to do something like that with her! However i would also love to own a copy of her book and would love to be entered into the give-a-way!

By the way my husband was listening to me and bought two of your books for me this Birthday and Christmas - Itty Bitty Nursery and Itty Bitty Toys! I'm so excited to start some projects as we have two new grandchildren joining our family in 2010!Laura T

Hello Susan,I am also an avid lover of color! Kristen's designs are fabulous. I would love to have a copy of her book so that I could get going a a few of her projects...the child's sweater would be my first! Thanks for introducing her to me!WoolyKnitsNBits

Oh, I would love to win this book! Thank you for the chance to win. I've been simultaneously intimidated by and drawn to fair isle, but haven't gotten up the nerve to try it yet. Maybe this book is the key!

Oh, I hope I'm one of the lucky winners! - I just love her color choices - her designs - it is so my Nikki (my 7 yr. old dd) - just finished my first color work piece and really enjoyed it - am looking forward to more...

I love your blog and Stitched on the Farm too. You both have inspired me be adventurous in knitting even with the simplest projects. I would love a copy of Kristen's book. I'm cashmeredreamer on ravelry.

Hello Susan,I've been reading Kristin's and your blogs for a long while and love them both. Drooling might be more like it. Not to mention, adding more projects to my Ravelry queue. My grandmother taught me to knit when I was 5, and in fact, a fascination with color and texture figures into my teen girl memoir currently in the works. I would love to participate in the "Win a copy of Color ..." post-a-thon. Of course, I'm hoping one of your book tours brings you to New England. The closest shop with Spud & Chloe is over an hour away, but a field trip is on the calendar. Hello to The Collector!

Kristin's blog is one of my favorites also. I have been coveting this book since my first glance of it online. It is still not in bookstores in Canada - but you can order it - which I will be doing as soon as I recover from Christmas. One of my favorite things from the books are the slippers - they are like pimped up slippers your Grandma would have made (remember Phentex?) Thanks for a chance to win this beautiful book.

I'm a colorwork phobic - but love the look! Maybe Kristen's book would help nme get over the fear and dive right in!Thanks for the opportunity - you are always so generous with your contests/giveaways.

Such a wonderful review of such a talented designer/author and special person! I have long loved and admired Kristin's work and those sentiments have grown exponentially since I stumbled upon her blog a few years past. She is truly an exceptional woman with a huge talent, a keen mind and a generous heart. Love the regular doses of positive energy that her words send out into the universe. And the book...sadly not under the tree this year (I had been waiting to buy it, thinking that my abundant hints would take root)...anyway it's time to take matters into my own hands, if I don't win, I'm off to her blog to buy a signed copy! Thanks for offering this giveaway and, as ever, thanks for your own dose of good vibes...love it!

I love Kristin's work and have made several of her projects. Her "Julia" yarn is just so yummy, too! Actually, I put you, Susan, in the same category of innovative designers! Have a great day! (See you next week!)

As for a link, here is a picture of me in a hat I created for a new year's eve party -- a giant felted flower. Felted flowers are my little hobby.http://blackberryrambles.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-new-year.html

I am almost done with Kristin's Norwegian Inspired Mittens. They are so fun to knit - and she really gave me the courage to try Fair Isle a year ago. It is so much easier than it looks and I get so much satisfaction out of the colorwork. I would love to own a copy of her new book. Thanks for the opportunity!

I love how Kristin has taken an " old art" and created a line of clothing that is magnificently trendy and artsy! My daughter is 25 and just engaged the world of knitting and this is the kind of book that stimulates the minds of the young. Bravo Kristin. Thanks Susan for introducing her to us.

Just seeing the pictures from Kristin's book on your blog makes me want to pick up my needles and start knitting some colorwork immediately! The designs are simply gorgeous. What a wonderful giveaway. Thanks Susan!

Holy colour batman! I agree with previous commentators, if this doesn't get me to try colorwork, then I'll never do colorwork!The preview of this book really makes me want to give it a go though. I have nephews and nieces who would just look absolutely darling in any of those designs.Thank you for giving us the lowdown on such an interesting book.

Color is the most expressive element for an artist and yarnworker. I can't wait to see what Kristin has artfully designed in her new book! I always love seeing YOUR handiwork Susan, and love how you work with color as well! Thanks for keeping up two wonderful blogs for us to stay inspired! -Jennifer from http://www.yarnworksbyjennifer.com/ and http://www.ravelry.com/designers/jennifer-edwards

Kristen should put you on the payroll! You have convinced me that this book should be in my library! I want you to know that i have a new blackberry and the first bookmark I added was for your blog! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Colour! Colour! Colour!Just what we need. Beautiful eye candy to ring in the New Year. Even more pleasing would be to be knitting these colourful patterns.Please count me in for a chance to win.Thank you HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALLAnna4 on Ravelry

My sisters' described me as a monotone person until I started following Kristin Nichols. Her blog is inspiring, her books are enticing and, I love, peaking into her life and home. Color wheels are now my best friend thanks to Kristin

My newest book! Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys

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